Astros Vs. Braves

BASEBALL PLAYOFFS - NLDS Preview

October 5, 2004|By Stephen Ruiz, Sentinel Staff Writer

SEASON SERIES: Tied 3-3.

WHY THE ASTROS WILL WIN: No team is hotter. Houston won 36 of its final 46 games and its past seven in a row. They have arguably the best one-two combination of starters in the playoffs, with RHP Roger Clemens (18-4) and Roy Oswalt (20-10). Their offense boasts three 100-plus RBI men in 2B Jeff Kent (107), RF Lance Berkman (106) and CF Carlos Beltran (104 between the Royals and Astros). RHP Brad Lidge set a league record for strikeouts in a season by a reliever (157). The Astros have won a team-record 18 games in a row at home.

WHY THE BRAVES WILL WIN: They're in the Astros' heads, eliminating them from the playoffs in 1997, '99 and 2001. The Braves claimed their record 13th division title in a row despite not having a player drive in 100 runs (3B Chipper Jones led with 96) or have a pitcher win more than 15 games.

WHY THE ASTROS WON'T WIN: They expended so much energy just to reach this point that they may not have enough left for the Braves. LF Craig Biggio (career .130 average) and 1B Jeff Bagwell (.174) have been notorious flops in the postseason. After Clemens and Oswalt, interim manager Phil Garner will be hoping someone (probably RHP Brandon Backe) can give him five innings in Game 3.

WHY THE BRAVES WON'T WIN: They're coming into the playoffs at less than full strength. RHP John Thomson was set to start Game 2 but was pushed back a game because of a strained left side. LHP Mike Hampton will go in his place. Jones was hit on the right hand by a pitch last weekend and is questionable because he can't swing a bat. The Braves don't have an ace and don't know what to do with struggling RHP Russ Ortiz.